1. Skilled Worker Visa

• Educational Requirement: Applicants must now hold a university degree.

• English Language Level will be raised from B1 to B2 on the CEFR scale.

• Salary Threshold Reform: The Immigration Salary List will be abolished.
• Transitional Protection: Individuals already on this route will be allowed to renew, switch jobs, or extend under the existing rules.

2. Adult Social Care Visa

• The care visa route will be phased out, with extensions and in-country switching allowed until 2028.
• Employers in this sector will be encouraged to recruit and train domestic workers.

3. Refugee Employment

Drawing from the Displaced Talent Programme, the UK will explore reforms to allow a limited number of UNHC-Rrecognised refugees overseas to enter the UK via sponsored work routes, if they have relevant skills.

4. Immigration Skills Charge

This charge will be increased by 32%, raising costs for employers sponsoring migrant workers.

5. Global Talent and High Potential Individuals (HPI) Routes

• The government aims to attract the brightest and best through a range of enhancements:

• Increased intake on Global Talent routes and faster processing for strategic industries.

• Expanded access for research interns, especially in Artificial Intelligence.

• Simplified Global Talent visa process for top scientific and design professionals.

• Review of the Innovator Founder visa to better support entrepreneurial graduates.

• Doubling the number of workers businesses can bring to establish UK operations.

• Expansion of the HPI route, potentially doubling eligible institutions, while maintaining safeguards.

6. Graduate Visa

The duration of the Graduate Visa will be reduced to 18 months from the previous two years.

7. Family Migration

• Potential tightening of suitability requirements, such as good character assessments.

• Review of family and private life policies and exceptional circumstances guidelines.

8. English Language Requirements

• Skilled Workers and roles with language criteria: Requirement raised from B1 to B2.

• Adult Dependants of workers and students: New A1 level minimum, with a plan to increase over time.

• Settlement applications: Language requirement will also rise from B1 to B2.

9. Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

• General qualifying period extended to 10 years for most migrants.

• Five-year route maintained for non-UK dependants of British citizens, assuming compliance.

• Safeguards remain for victims of domestic violence or abuse.

• New provisions will allow earlier settlement based on points-based contributions to the UK economy and society.

10. Short-Term Study and Student Visas

• There will be a review of accreditation bodies for education providers to ensure integrity and proper scrutiny before and after accreditation.

• The government is exploring the introduction of a Higher Education levy on tuition fees for international students.

• This would apply to Higher Education institutions and is aimed at ensuring the sustainability and accountability of the international student system.

• While no final policy decision has been made, the White Paper confirms that modelling and consultation are ongoing, and further details will be published in due course.

Final Thoughts

These proposed changes signal a major shift in the UK’s approach to migration, prioritising high-skilled talent, economic contributions, and domestic workforce development. While some routes are being restricted, others are being expanded or restructured to better align with national interests.

If you are affected by these changes or need immigration advice, contact us at:

📞 07523 281 911

📧 [email protected]

https://fcimm.co.uk

https://www.fcimm.co.uk/post/ukimmigrationreform2025keychangesandwhattheymean